UTRGV Tennis Set for New Home With New $10 Million Complex

For years, UTRGV tennis has competed without a dedicated home facility on campus. Now, thatwis set to change.

The new complex will cost around $10 million and feature eight tennis courts, with six used for

competition, along with locker rooms, a pavilion, sports medicine space and seating for fans

around the courts.

For UTRGV athletics leadership, the facility represents more than just new courts.

The new tennis complex is expected to change the daily experience for UTRGV

student-athletes, giving both teams a place to practice, prepare and compete on campus.

Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Chase Conque described the impact of the project in simple terms.

“It’s a game changer. ” Conque said.

The new facility will give players amenities they have not had before, including locker rooms and

a place to keep their equipment and prepare between classes and practices.

The Conque the project will also help UTRGV remain competitive at the conference and

national levels.

“So for us to stay competitive in this conference, for us to compete at the national level, those things are important, but it’s gonna change their day to day, right?” Conque said.

For the men’s tennis program, head coach Nathan robinson says the facility could also play an

important role in recruiting and retaining players.The new complex is also expected to improve the experience for fans, with seating around the

competition courts and shade structures for matches played during warmer parts of the day.

The team has finished second in the conference in each of the last two seasons, and coach

Robinson believes the new facility could provide the small advantage needed to continue

moving forward.

“We finished second in conference the last two years, couple of heartbreakers, just, just the microscopes off, and we’re talking small percentages, so something like a new facility. Maybe that’s the percentage that we need.”Robinson said

The coach also believes having a dedicated facility will give players another reason to take pride

in the program.

“It also just helps within the pride of the team.” Robinson said

For the players, the excitement is already building.

Santiago Serrano tennis player says the team is looking forward to seeing the university invest

in the program and he said he believes the new complex can help the team have its best

season possible.

“We’re very used to playing here. We had so many matches, so many practices together, and just moving there is gonna be a new experience that will be.” Serrano said

The player says the new complex will also give UTRGV one of the top tennis facilities in the

conference, and the team will have to take advantage of it.

For the women’s team, the timing is especially meaningful for senior Hitakamya Narwal, who will

get to experience the new facility during her final season.

“Starting to play, and it’s my senior year, and it would be like a perfect ending to it to be in the new facility.” narwal said

She says the new locker rooms will also make life easier for the team, especially when

balancing tennis with academics.

“I feel like the locker rooms are gonna be a big one, since we did not have any here. I think it’s going to save us a lot of time, communicate classes, or just, you know, setting up for practice. make things so much more efficient.” narwhal said

For UTRGV tennis, the facility represents a new chapter, one that players and coaches hope will help the programs compete, recruit and grow for years to come.

This is Sebastian Espino for Vaquero Radio